Family Fest featuring music from around the world
January 14, 11:30 A.M.
Parker and Vann Thomson Plaza
and John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall
Free Admission

Diverse And Engaging Entertainment For The Whole Family To Enjoy Together
Featuring “Music ‘Round The World” Ballet Brika West African Dance Theater Jeremy Plays Guitar Fushu Daiko and Olympic Sounds Of The Miami Music Project Honors Orchestra

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is proud to present its exciting January installment of FAMILY FEST: “Music ‘Round the World”, featuring performances by Ballet Brika West African Dance Theater, Jeremy Plays Guitar, Fushu Daiko And Miami Music Project Honors Orchestra. Outdoor activities will take place at the Parker and Vann Thomson Plaza beginning at 11:30 a.m., followed by Miami Music Project Honors Orchestra’s 2:00 p.m. “Olympic Sounds” family performance inside the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall. Admission is Free. “Family Fest at the Adrienne Arsht Center embodies the Center’s mission to enlighten, educate and entertain our community,” said M. John Richard, President and CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center. “This edition of Family Fest will explore art forms from around the world, from West Africa and Japan, to music from our own backyard.”

Throughout the day, guests will travel the globe with family-friendly outdoor activities and performances celebrating “Music ‘Round the World!” The event begins at 11:30 a.m. on the Parker and Vann Thomson Plaza with free entertainment, including performances by Ballet Brika at 11:30 a.m., Jeremy Plays Guitar at 12:10 p.m., and Fushu Daiko at 12:50 p.m. Families will also be able to enjoy learning how to make-and-take your own tambourine and rain stick at the Creation Station in the West Plaza; Rhythms of Africa Drumming Workshop for Kids in the Carnival Studio Theater; African fables at the Storytelling Corner, left of the stage in the Plaza; and play with instruments from around the world at the “Instrument Petting Zoo” inside the Peacock Foundation Studio.

Family Fest includes performances by:
Ballet Brika West African Dance Theater, the resident performance ensemble of the Renaissance Village Project, is a U.S.-based cooperative of African-centered artists. The ensemble cast of musicians, percussionists, dancers, singers, storytellers, and performers present West African Art forms with a focus on Mande cultures.

Combining rock, pop and jazz music with kid-inspired lyrics, JEREMY PLAYS GUITAR has created an innovative and fun way to reach kids through music. Lead member Jeremy Zmuda has collaborated with musicians from diverse musical roots to create his newest album “Use Your Words” focusing on giving children language and strategies to navigate the everyday challenges of childhood in today’s world.

Fushu Daiko is a musical art form that builds on a 2600+ year old tradition of Japanese drumming. Their music combines the traditional drums and rhythms of Japan with musical styles from around the world, such as jazz and rhythm and blues, to create an exciting, powerful cross-cultural experience that strives to cross boundaries and connect cultures.

The Miami Music Project Honors Orchestra is the city’s most dynamic youth ensemble. Under the direction of Maestro James Judd, the orchestra will take families into a world of musical Olympics, where sports and sound meet and nothing is impossible.

The fun moves indoors at 2 p.m. with a free performance of Olympic Sounds Of The Miami Music Project Honors Orchestra in the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall. All First-Access Passes for the indoor performance have been reserved; however, patrons who do not have a First-Access Pass can join the stand-by-line beginning at 1 p.m. outside the theater. Show access is granted on a first come, first serve basis. Patrons in the standby line will be let into the theater at 1:45 p.m. if seats are still available in the theater.

For additional information, call the Adrienne Arsht Center box office at (305) 949-6722 or visit www.arshtcenter.org.

WPBT2 KidsVision is a media sponsor of Family Fest.